This northeastern border to Philadelphia is another of Pennsylvania’s original counties, now encompassing towns like Doylestown, Levittown, Croydon, Bristol, Quakertown, and Morrisville. While it is a popular residential area, it’s also known for its rolling rural scenery, and miles of great running paths. See some of our favorites below:
Delaware Canal Towpath
Long-distance runners especially will love the towpath along the Delaware Canal, which reaches nearly 59 miles from Bristol in the south to Easton in the north. The wide dirt path is a fun run with its bridges and waterside views. Runners can take on an out and back of any length, or combine with the bridges and parks on the New Jersey side of the river for a loop. See the Friends of the Delaware Canal website for suggested loops.
This 365-acre lake at the center of Peace Valley Park is not only for watersports. A paved 6 mile path wraps around the scenic circumference of the lake, making it a favorite destination for runners and cyclists. There are also paths through the east side of the park if you’d like to extend your run.
About 30 miles from downtown Philly, Tyler State Park is an enormous green space with over 25 miles of trails. Opportunities for different types of running, from paved bike paths, to gravel roads and dirt singletrack, on terrain that ranges from streamside paths to woods and open fields/farmland. The paved Tyler Drive Trail along the creek is a good place to start.
This northeastern border to Philadelphia is another of Pennsylvania’s original counties, now encompassing towns like Doylestown, Levittown, Croydon, Bristol, Quakertown, and Morrisville. While it is a popular residential area, it’s also known for its rolling rural scenery, and miles of great running paths. See some of our favorites below:
Delaware Canal Towpath
Long-distance runners especially will love the towpath along the Delaware Canal, which reaches nearly 59 miles from Bristol in the south to Easton in the north. The wide dirt path is a fun run with its bridges and waterside views. Runners can take on an out and back of any length, or combine with the bridges and parks on the New Jersey side of the river for a loop. See the Friends of the Delaware Canal website for suggested loops.
This 365-acre lake at the center of Peace Valley Park is not only for watersports. A paved 6 mile path wraps around the scenic circumference of the lake, making it a favorite destination for runners and cyclists. There are also paths through the east side of the park if you’d like to extend your run.
About 30 miles from downtown Philly, Tyler State Park is an enormous green space with over 25 miles of trails. Opportunities for different types of running, from paved bike paths, to gravel roads and dirt singletrack, on terrain that ranges from streamside paths to woods and open fields/farmland. The paved Tyler Drive Trail along the creek is a good place to start.
Known to locals as “Montco,” this wealthy, family-friendly community borders Philadelphia to the north. Highlights include bike paths, Valley Forge, and the campuses of Villanova, Haveford, and Bryn Mawr.
Delco, the small county to the south of Philadelphia, sits along the Delaware River. Highlights include the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Ridley Creek Park, and the course of the Media 5 Mile Race. There is also loads of trail running here.
Chester County, one of the original three Pennsylvania counties, is a tony area west of Philadelphia and Delaware counties. This historic spot is marked by rail trails, beautiful parks, and high-end residential neighborhoods.
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Long-distance runners especially will love the towpath along the Delaware Canal, which reaches nearly 59 miles from Bristol in the south to Easton in the north. The wide dirt path is a fun run with its bridges and waterside views. Runners can take on an out and back of any length, or combine with the bridges and parks on the New Jersey side of the river for a loop. See the Friends of the Delaware Canal website for suggested loops.
This 365-acre lake at the center of Peace Valley Park is not only for watersports. A paved 6 mile path wraps around the scenic circumference of the lake, making it a favorite destination for runners and cyclists. There are also paths through the east side of the park if you’d like to extend your run.
About 30 miles from downtown Philly, Tyler State Park is an enormous green space with over 25 miles of trails. Opportunities for different types of running, from paved bike paths, to gravel roads and dirt singletrack, on terrain that ranges from streamside paths to woods and open fields/farmland. The paved Tyler Drive Trail along the creek is a good place to start.
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